Anchor packaging system and method

ABSTRACT

A system for and method of shipping items is provided. The method includes adhering a package to an inner surface of a shipping case, thereby inhibiting movement of the package relative to the shipping case. The method includes wrapping one or more item with a sacrificial layer, such as shrink wrap, stretch wrap, paper, or the like, thereby creating a tight barrier of the package. The system includes one or more conveyor system and one or more adhesive applicator for automating the methods of the present invention. After adhesive is applied to at least one of a first surface of the package and the inner surface of the shipping case, the package is placed into the shipping case and the shipping case is moved to a closed configuration, thereby defining a void surrounding all but the first surface of the package.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/770,039, filed Nov. 20, 2018, and 62/811,994, filed Feb. 28, 2019, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to packaging processes. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with systems for and methods of anchoring packages to shipping cases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Certain goals and objectives associated with retail packaging, such as attracting attention while providing information about the goods within the package, are often diametrically opposed to certain goals and objectives of shipping packages, such as maximizing visibility of shipping labels while providing at least some level of discretion. Consequently, shipping cases are used to ship a variety of goods, regardless of whether the goods are pre-packaged.

Shipping cases are rarely designed to precisely fit goods being shipped. Consequently, shipping cases nearly always include large empty spaces (“voids”). Unfortunately, shipping cases are often tossed around during shipping and handling, creating a risk of damage to the goods and/or to the shipping case. To reduce risk of damage, most shippers, such as Amazon and the like, use filler material, such as foam peanuts, air pillows, bubble wrap, foam wrap, shredded paper, and the like.

Filler material is not always effective in preventing movement of goods within a shipping case, especially if an insufficient amount of filler material is used and/or if filler material is improperly positioned within the shipping case. Using too much filler material can also result in damage to a shipping case and/or to goods within the shipping case. Damage to a shipping case can cause loss of filler material, thereby eliminating or otherwise reducing any protection afforded by such filler material. Consequently, it would be beneficial to have a system for and method of reducing risk of damage to goods without requiring filler material.

Use of filler material makes it difficult to automate the packaging process. For instance, a worker must be used to fill voids in a shipping case with filler material, thereby introducing an unknown, and sometimes unreliable, variable. The main reason for damage returns is that the worker did not put enough filler material in the shipping case. Consequently, it would be beneficial if the system for and methods of reducing risk of damage to goods could be automated, thereby further reducing risk of damage to goods.

Even if filler material is effective in protecting goods during shipping, filler material is rarely reused, generating a large volume of waste. Furthermore, filler material often spills out of shipping cases, such as during handling prior to shipping, if the shipping case is damaged during shipping, when opening the shipping case upon delivery, when removing goods from the shipping case, or the like. It can be difficult and time consuming to clean up filler material that spills out of a shipping case. Failure to properly clean up spilled filler material can create environmental concerns and health hazards, including, but not limited to, hazards associated with animals and/or small children ingesting small pieces of filler material and/or choking on or even being suffocated by larger pieces of filler material. Consequently, it would be beneficial to have a system for and a method of reducing risk of damage to goods while avoiding environmental and health risks associated with using filler material.

Filler material complicates and/or undermines conservation efforts, such as recycle and/or reuse efforts. For instance, the requirement to remove and dispose of filler material reduces incentives for, and complicates the process of, reusing shipping cases, resulting in more waste. Furthermore, filler material, which is rarely separated completely from corrugated board of shipping cases, contaminates the process for recycling the corrugated board, thereby further reducing incentives for recycling by reducing the value of the corrugated board. Consequently, it would be beneficial to have a system for and methods of reducing risk of damage to goods while simplifying and facilitating conservation efforts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a system for and methods of protecting goods within shipping cases or other containers. In some embodiments, the method includes securing one or more good to an interior surface of the shipping case, thereby eliminating the need for filler material by preventing the one or more good from shifting within the shipping case. In some embodiments, a first good is secured to a first surface of the container. In some embodiments, the first good is wrapped with a sacrificial layer, such as shrink wrap, stretch wrap, paper, plastic, aluminum (such as aluminum sheet or foil), or the like, regardless of whether such material is now known or later developed. In some embodiments, the type, thickness, and/or other properties of the sacrificial layer is selected based on the weight of the goods being secured and/or is selected based on one or more other factor. In some embodiments, aluminum sheet or foil is used in association with heavy items. In some embodiments, the sacrificial layer is secured to the interior surface of the container. In some embodiments, the sacrificial layer wraps around a plurality of goods, such as a first and second good and/or one or more other good, thereby securing the plurality of goods together prior to the goods being secured to the shipping case. In some embodiments, a sacrificial layer is first secured to an interior surface of a container, then a good or a plurality of goods is wrapped in the sacrificial layer. In some embodiments, one or more good is wrapped with one or more support member, such as a tray or the like, thereby increasing a surface area for securing the goods to the shipping case and/or for otherwise facilitating the same. In some embodiments, one or more sacrificial layer includes indicia, such as a decorative design or other ornamental feature. In some embodiments, the indicia is associated with one or more special event, such as a birthday, Christmas, or the like.

In some embodiments, the sacrificial layer is formed at least partially from a bag, such as a paper bag, a plastic bag, or the like. In some embodiments, one or more good is placed in one or more respective bag, thereby creating one or more sacrificial layer around such one or more goods.

For the purposes of clarity, the good or goods, whether wrapped or not and whether wrapped with a support member or not, are referred to herein as a “package” with each good, support member, or other item within the package being referred to as an “item”. In some embodiments, a single package (i.e. a single item, wrapped or unwrapped, or a plurality of items wrapped together) is secured within a single shipping case. In some embodiments, a plurality of packages are secured within a single shipping case.

The foregoing and other objects are intended to be illustrative of the invention and are not meant in a limiting sense. Many possible embodiments of the invention may be made and will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and accompanying drawings comprising a part thereof. Various features and subcombinations of invention may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of this invention and various features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which the applicant has contemplated applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 shows a system for applying adhesive to a package.

FIG. 2 shows a system for applying adhesive to a shipping case.

FIG. 3 shows a system for applying a sacrificial layer to a package.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, a detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the principles of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention is directed to a process for securing a package 10 relative to a shipping case 20 to facilitate safe and efficient shipping of the same. In some embodiments, the process includes moving the package 10 along a first surface 101 as the shipping case 20 moves along a second surface 102. In some embodiments, one or both of the surfaces is associated with an automatic conveying system, such as a conveyor belt or the like. In some embodiments, a plurality of packages 10 are moved along the first surface 101 while a plurality of corresponding shipping case 20 are moved along the second surface 102. At or near the end of the first surface 101, the package 10 is loaded into the shipping case 20 and is secured thereto.

Referring to FIG. 1, some embodiments of the present invention utilize a first glue applicator 151 associated with the first surface 101, thereby facilitating application of glue directly to one or more exterior surface of the package and/or to another surface associated therewith, such as a sacrificial layer or the like. In some embodiments, the first glue applicator 151 is a glue dot applicator (shown), a spray applicator, or any other appropriate glue applicator now known or later developed. The glue applicator is configured to facilitate application of at least one type of adhesive material, such as hot melt adhesive, cold adhesive, tape adhesive, and/or one or more other adhesive now known or later developed.

Referring to FIG. 2, some embodiments of the present invention utilize a second glue applicator 152 associated with the second surface 102, thereby facilitating application of glue directly to one or more interior surface of the shipping case and/or to another surface associated therewith, such as a sacrificial layer or the like. In some embodiments, the second glue applicator 152 is a spray applicator (shown), a glue dot applicator, or any other appropriate glue applicator now known or later developed. The glue applicator is configured to facilitate application of at least one type of adhesive material, such as hot melt adhesive, cold adhesive, tape adhesive, and/or one or more other adhesive now known or later developed.

Some embodiments of the present invention include positioning the package 10 relative to one or more interior surface of the shipping case 20 to facilitate bonding thereto. In this way, the package is moved to a shipping position relative to the shipping case. Upon application of the adhesive to the package and/or the shipping case, the adhesive remains active (capable of bonding the package to the shipping case) for at least a first period of time, the first period of time being defined by the time it takes to move the package to the shipping position. In some embodiments, the first period of time is a few seconds or less. In some embodiments, the first period of time is several minutes or more. In some embodiments, the package is reoriented (such as being flipped, as shown in FIG. 1) prior to being moved to the shipping position.

In some embodiments, the package is biased towards the shipping position or otherwise held in position for a second period of time, thereby facilitating bonding of the package to the shipping case. In some embodiments, the second period of time is a few seconds. In some embodiments, the second period of time is about one second. In some embodiments, the second period of time is less than a second. In some embodiments, the package is bonded to the shipping case upon moving (and/or allowing movement of) the package towards the shipping case (and/or vice versa). In some embodiments, moving the package into contact with the shipping case results in instantaneous (or at least nearly instantaneous) bonding of the same.

In some embodiments, the adhesive retains the package in the shipping position for a third period of time, thereby facilitating shipping of the package within the shipping case. In some embodiments, the third period of time is a few days or more. In some embodiments, the third period of time is several weeks or more.

In some embodiments, the adhesive is configured to retain the package in the shipping position for a variety of environmental conditions and/or circumstances. In some embodiments, the environmental conditions include wide temperature fluctuations and/or rough handling associated with shipping.

Referring to FIG. 3, some embodiments of the present invention apply a sacrificial layer to the package, such as by utilizing a shrink wrap mechanism 110 to wrap a sacrificial layer around the package and/or a shrink heat tunnel 120 for bonding the sacrificial layer thereto. In some embodiments, the sacrificial layer is formed at least partially from a bag, such as a paper bag, a plastic bag, or the like.

In some embodiments, the present invention includes applying an adhesive directly to a package (i.e. by applying the adhesive to an item and/or to a sacrificial layer associated with one or more item). In some embodiments, the adhesive is hot melt adhesive, cold set adhesive, glue dots, or the like. In some embodiments, the adhesive is applied using a dab technique, such as with an automated applicator moving vertically with respect to a top or bottom surface of the package to apply adhesive to the top or bottom surface of the package. In this way, a number of discrete adhesive dots can be applied to an applicable surface. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments the package moves vertically with respect to the dab applicator. It will further be appreciated that in some embodiments the dab applicator applies adhesive to one or more other surface of the package in addition to and/or in lieu of applying adhesive to the top or bottom surface of the same. It will still further be appreciated that in some embodiments at least some of the adhesive dots are applied by hand.

In some embodiments, the adhesive is applied using a roll technique, such as with a roller or the like. In some embodiments, the adhesive is rolled onto one or more surface of a package, thereby facilitating bonding of the same to one or more respective surface of a shipping case. In some embodiments, the roller moves in a horizontal and/or vertical orientation relative to the package, thereby causing the roller to roll across one or more surface of the same. In some embodiments, the package moves relative to the roller.

In some embodiments, the present invention utilizes adhesive tape. In some embodiments, at least some of the tape is double-sided tape. In some embodiments, an associated container is moveable from a flat configuration, such as for shipping or storing the container, and an erected configuration, such as for loading the container, storing or shipping goods within the container, or unloading the container. In some embodiments, tape is applied to a container in association with a loading process, such as by a worker after the container is moved to an erected configuration. In some embodiments, at least some tape is applied to the container in association with a manufacturing process, such as by the manufacturer of the container while (or before) the container is in the flat configuration. In some embodiments the tape is capable of securing to the container items of substantial weight.

In some embodiments, the present invention includes applying an adhesive directly to an interior surface of a shipping case, such as an interior surface of a bottom panel of the shipping case. In this way, one or more package can be secured within the shipping case by moving the package into contact with the adhesive.

In some embodiments, the adhesive is applied directly to one or more package prior to one or more package being placed in a shipping case. In some embodiments, one or more package is placed in a shipping case prior to applying an adhesive. In this way, the one or more package can be arranged or preferentially situated in the shipping case prior to applying adhesive. In some embodiments, once a preferred arrangement within the shipping case has been achieved, an adhesive is applied to the one or more package within the shipping case.

In some embodiments, applying adhesive to the shipping case and/or to one or more package includes spraying adhesive. In some embodiment, the system includes an adhesive sprayer applicator that is configured to spray hot melt adhesive and/or cold set adhesive. In some embodiments, certain aspects of the present invention are at least partially automated, such as the adhesive sprayer applicator, the process of wrapping and/or securing a sacrificial layer to items, the packaging process, or the like. In some embodiments, certain aspects of the present invention are performed manually, such as application of adhesive with the adhesive sprayer applicator, or otherwise, wrapping packages, securing wrapping to packages, moving packages between stations, stacking items, loading items and/or packages into a shipping case, or the like.

In some embodiments, the adhesive is a hot melt glue, a cold set glue, a glue dot, or a tape adhesive. In some embodiments, the adhesive can be applied directly to the product after the product is wrapped in a sacrificial layer. In some embodiments, the sacrificial layer can be shrink film, a plastic bag, or the like. In some embodiments, the adhesive can be applied to the top or to the bottom of the package. In some embodiments, the product is placed into the shipping case after the adhesive is applied.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, some embodiments of the present invention include a system for automating methods of the present invention. Some embodiments include a primary conveyor system, such as a conveyor belt or the like, for moving the package (or components of the package) between two or more stations. Some embodiments include a stacking station for stacking one or more item on top of one or more other item, such as on top of one or more good and/or support member, such as a tray or the like. In some embodiments, a tray or other support member is stacked on top of one or more good. In some embodiments, items are selected for stacking based on delivery location, size of items, weight of items, classification of items, or any number of other factors associated with determining proper groupings of items.

Some embodiments of the present invention include a wrapping station, such as a shrink wrap station, a stretch wrap station, a paper wrapping station, or the like, for wrapping items together and/or for wrapping a single item, thereby creating a package for shipping. In some embodiments, wrapping a single item provides additional protection for the item and/or provides a sacrificial layer for adhesion. In some embodiments, the wrapping station includes an initial substation for initially wrapping the items and a finishing substation for securing the wrapping to the items. In some such embodiments, the initial substation station includes rolls of sacrificial film, such as shrink film, stretch film, paper, plastic, aluminum, or the like. In some embodiments, the finishing station includes a means for securing the film to one or more item, such as by heating shrink film, smoothing stretch film, taping paper, or the like. In some embodiments, the primary conveyor system moves the items relative to the rolls of sacrificial film, thereby causing the sacrificial film to wrap around the items as the sacrificial film unrolls.

In some embodiments, the sacrificial film is paper, a paper product, plastic, aluminum, or the like. In some embodiments, the sacrificial film is wrapped at least partially around the one or more items of the package. In some embodiments, the sacrificial film is formed, at least partially, from a bag, such as a plastic bag, a paper bag, or the like. In some embodiments, the sacrificial film extends across an entire bottom surface of a bottom item of the package, such as by setting the item on an inner surface of the sacrificial layer or otherwise. In some embodiments, the sacrificial layer is folded up (or is otherwise caused to extend upward) so as to cover side surfaces of each item in the package, thereby defining an interior volume within which the items are positioned. In some embodiments, the sacrificial layer defines an open top through which one or more item may be added or removed from the package prior to the items being secured together, the open top being defined by outer portions of the sacrificial layer. In some embodiments, the open top is closed, such as by folding the outer portions over each other, by twisting the outer portions together, by rolling the outer portions, or the like. In this way, the sacrificial film is secured tightly to the items, thereby creating a tight barrier of the package. In some embodiments, outer portions of the sacrificial film are secured so as to prevent or inhibit the same from unfolding, untwisting, unrolling, or the like.

In some embodiments, sacrificial film is a shrink film that is configured to shrink upon being heated. In some such embodiments, the primary conveyor system moves the items relative to a means for heating the shrink film such that the shrink film is exposed to an appropriate amount of heat for a sufficient amount of time for securing the items together. In some embodiments, the heating means is a heating tunnel and the primary conveyor system is configured to pass the goods through the heating tunnel at an appropriate speed. As the product travels through the heat tunnel, the shrink film begins to form around the items, thereby forming a package having a tight plastic barrier.

In some embodiments, the sacrificial film is formed at least partially from a plastic bag that is configured to shrink upon being heated. In some such embodiments, the primary conveyor system moves the items relative to a means for heating the plastic bag such that the plastic bag is exposed to an appropriate amount of heat for a sufficient amount of time for securing the items together. In some embodiments, the heating means is a heating tunnel and the primary conveyor system is configured to pass the goods through the heating tunnel at an appropriate speed. As the product travels through the heat tunnel, the plastic bag begins to form around the items, thereby forming a package having a tight plastic barrier.

In some embodiments, a single bag is utilized with a single package or item. In some embodiments, a single bag is utilized with a plurality of packages or items. In some embodiments, a plurality of bags are utilized with a single package or item, such as by placing each item in a respective small bag and placing all items in a larger bag. In some embodiments, each bag is formed from the same or similar materials. In some embodiments, one or more bag is formed from a different material.

In some embodiments, one or more item is placed into one or more bag prior to the bag being secured to a container. In some such embodiments, one or more bag is sealed or otherwise moved to a secure configuration, such as by heat shrinking, twisting, tying, gluing, taping, or the like, prior to a respective package being placed into a respective container. In some embodiments, air is evacuated from one or more bag. In some such embodiments, the evacuation of the air creates a tight seal, such as a vacuum seal, around the good or goods. In some embodiments, evacuation of air from one or more bag reduces the overall volume of a package or otherwise facilitates more compact packaging within a container.

In some embodiments, one or more sacrificial film, such as paper, plastic, or the like, whether in the form of a bag or not, positioned in a container prior to securing the same relative to one or more item or package. In some such embodiments, a portion of the sacrificial film is secured to one or more inner surface of the container, such as via tape, glue dots, hot melt, cold set, or other adhesives or retentions means, thereby creating a retention mechanism. In some embodiments, one or more item or package is positioned relative to one or more retention mechanism, thereby enabling a user to retain such items or packages within the container, such as by wrapping one or more retention mechanism around one or more item or package and moving the same to a secure configuration, such as by heat shrinking, twisting, tying, gluing, taping, or the like.

In some embodiments, the system includes a secondary conveyor system for moving a shipping case into position for receiving one or more package from the primary conveyor system, such as at a loading station. In some embodiments, the loading station includes a means for moving one or more package into contact with one or more inner surface of the shipping case and/or for otherwise securing one or more package within the shipping case, such as by securing the one or more package to one or more other package within the case. In some embodiments, the loading station includes and/or is associated with a means of moving the shipping case from an open configuration for receiving packages to a closed configuration for concealing packages within the shipping case. In some embodiments, the loading station further includes and/or is further associated with a means of securing the shipping case in the closed configuration, such as with tape, glue, banding, or the like.

In some embodiments, the system includes one or more adhesive application station. In some embodiments, the adhesive application station applies adhesive to one or more inner surface of a shipping case, such as by spraying adhesive into the shipping case as the shipping case is moved towards the loading station. In some embodiments, the adhesive application station applies adhesive to one or more surface of the package, such as a top or bottom surface of the package. In some embodiments, the loading station is configured to flip the package over so as to facilitate bonding a top surface of the package to an inner surface of a bottom panel of the shipping case using adhesive dots applied to a top surface of the package. In some embodiments, the adhesive is configured to secure a sacrificial film (such as shrink film, stretch film, paper, or the like) to corrugated paper board. In some embodiments, the system includes two adhesive application stations, a first for applying a first adhesive to a package and the second for applying a second adhesive to the shipping case. In some embodiments, the first and second adhesives are configured to bond to each other.

In some embodiments, the system is configured to automatically select a shipping case based on sizing and weight requirements. In some embodiments, the system includes a selection station for selecting a shipping case based on size and/or weight requirements and/or the like. In some embodiments, the sacrificial film is formed at least partially from a recyclable material. In some embodiments, the sacrificial film is produced at least partially from a renewable resource.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the description and illustration of the inventions is by way of example, and the scope of the inventions is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Although the foregoing detailed description of the present invention has been described by reference to an exemplary embodiment, and the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that certain changes, modification or variations may be made in embodying the above invention, and in the construction thereof, other than those specifically set forth herein, may be achieved by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that such changes, modification or variations are to be considered as being within the overall scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is contemplated to cover the present invention and any and all changes, modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall with in the true spirit and scope of the underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein. Consequently, the scope of the present invention is intended to be limited only by the attached claims, all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the invention is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, are set forth in the appended claims.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for securing a package within a shipping case, the system comprising an adhesive station for applying an adhesive substance to at least one of a surface of the package and an inner surface of the shipping case.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a heating station for heating shrink film wrapped around at least one item of the package, the heating station being configured to shrink the shrink film around the at least one item, thereby creating a package having a tight plastic barrier.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the heating station includes a heat tunnel, the heat tunnel being configured to expose the shrink film to a sufficient amount of heat for a sufficient amount of time as the package is moved through the heat tunnel in a predetermined amount of time.
 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a first conveyor system for moving the package through the heat tunnel in the predetermined amount of time.
 5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a wrapping station for wrapping the heat film around the at least one item of the package.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a first conveyor system for moving the package through the adhesive station towards a loading station, the adhesive station including an adhesive applicator for applying adhesive to at least one surface of the package, the adhesive applicator being one of a dabbing applicator, a rolling applicator, and a spraying applicator.
 7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a second conveyor system for moving the shipping case to the loading station, the adhesive applicator being configured to apply adhesive to a top surface of the package and the loading station being configured to flip the package and to move the top surface of the package into contact with an inner surface of a bottom panel of the shipping case.
 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a wrapping station for wrapping a sacrificial film around at least one item of the package, the wrapping station being configured to secure the sacrificial film to the at least one item, thereby creating a tight barrier.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the adhesive station includes an adhesive applicator that is configured to apply adhesive to at least one inner surface of the shipping case, the adhesive applicator being one of a dabbing applicator, a rolling applicator, and a spraying applicator.
 10. The system of claim 9, further comprising first and second conveyor systems for moving the package and the shipping case, respectively, towards the loading station, the second conveyor system being configured to move the shipping case to the adhesive station prior to moving the shipping case to the loading station.
 11. A method of securing a package within a shipping case, the method comprising: applying adhesive to at least one of a surface of the package and an inner surface of the shipping case; and positioning the package within the shipping case such that the adhesive secures the package to the inner surface of the shipping case.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: wrapping shrink film around at least one item of the package; and heating the shrink film, thereby creating a tight plastic barrier.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising moving the package through a heat tunnel, thereby accomplishing the heating step, the moving step being accomplished with a first conveyor system.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first conveyor system moves the package through the heat tunnel in a predetermined amount of time, thereby exposing the shrink film to a sufficient amount of heat for a sufficient amount of time.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the applying step is accomplished by an adhesive applicator, the adhesive applicator being one of a dabbing applicator, a rolling applicator, and a spraying applicator.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising flipping the package and moving a top surface of the package into contact with an inner surface of a bottom panel of the shipping case, wherein the adhesive applicator is configured to apply adhesive to a top surface of the package prior to the package being flipped.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising wrapping a sacrificial film around at least one item of the package and securing the sacrificial film to the at least one item, thereby creating a tight barrier.
 18. A method of shipping a package within a shipping case, the method comprising adhering a first surface of the package to an inner surface of the shipping case such that the package is inhibited from moving relative to the shipping case.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising moving the shipping case to a closed configuration, thereby defining a void surrounding all but the first surface of the package.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: applying adhesive to at least one of the first surface of the package and the inner surface of the shipping case; and positioning the package within the shipping case such that at least a portion of the adhesive is positioned between at least a portion of the first surface of the package and the inner surface of the shipping case. 